The University of Helsinki is one of the world’s leading universities for multidisciplinary research. HiLIFE Helsinki Institute of Life Science is a research institute that supports high quality life science research across the University campuses and faculties. The research activities at the Institute of Biotechnology consist of several research teams focusing on a specific area of molecular biology, cell biology or biotechnology. The Institute is situated in the Viikki science park. For more information on the Institute, please visit https://www.helsinki.fi/en/hilife-institute-of-biotechnology.

The HiLIFE - Institute of Biotechnology, Varjosalo laboratory of Molecular Systems Biology / Pathology, invites applications for a position of

Doctoral Student

The ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 is currently rapidly spreading worldwide to over 180 countries, including Finland. To date, no specific antiviral drugs have been developed for SARS-CoV-2. Drug discovery is hindered by the fact that viruses do not have their own metabolism, but are dependent on the host. This project is part of a consortia grant funded by the Academy of Finland, aiming to fight the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19. The project is a combination of modern technologies used to study proteomics and genomics. The candidate will apply the interaction proteomics to construct a comprehensive virus-host protein interaction network and identify the potential protein targets for testing the available drug(s) against all possible variants or mutations of SARS-COV-2. The pipeline you will set up is important not only for the SARS-COV-2 but also for many other newly emerging viruses of interest.

We are looking for a highly-motivated candidate with a master’s degree in biology, biochemistry, biotechnology or other relevant fields. We expect the candidate to have practical experience with “wet lab” work and strong interest in the development and application of modern instrumentation to study host-pathogen interaction. Experience in proteomics is considered an advantage. The candidate should work well in a team as she/he will be integrated into an international research team of experts in system biology. The working language in the group is English.

The appointee is expected to work full time on the PhD thesis and to complete their thesis and the associated studies in four years. The successful applicant will apply to be a Ph.D. student in the appropriate Faculty (such as the Faculty of Medicine). PhD degree consists of the student’s research project and studies specific to the research field, as well as transferable skills training.

The position is available from September 2020. A trial period of 6 months will be applied, and the salary will be based on the Universities salary scheme for teaching and research personnel composed of both task specific and personal performance components.
The deadline for the applications is 25th of September, but the position will be filled immediately once a suitable candidate has been identified.

Application should include the following documents as a single pdf file: CV, list of publications, motivation letter including a description of your research interests, and the names contact information of two referees.

Please submit your application, together with the required attachments, through the University of Helsinki electronic recruitment system by clicking on the ‘Apply for job’ button. Internal applicants (i.e., current employees of the University of Helsinki) submit their applications through the SAP HR portal.

For further information please contact Research Director Markku Varjosalo, PhD markku.varjosalo(at)helsinki.fi

Due date

25.09.2020 23:59 EEST